BCCI Announces Harshit Rana's Replacement For India vs Afghanistan And Asian Games 2026

Harshit Rana's replacement for IND vs AFG T20Is and Asian Games 2026 named (Source: AFP)India have suffered another setback ahead of the Afghanistan T20I series and the Asian Games 2026. Harshit Rana has been ruled out after picking up another fresh injury during his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). The fast bowler was making good progress but suffered a fresh setback during a match simulation on September 7 (Monday). The BCCI has now named Harshit Rana's replacement for both IND vs AFG T20Is and the Asian Games 2026.Yash Thakur Replaces Harshit Rana For IND vs AFG T20I Series And Asian Games 2026Yash Thakur has been selected as Harshit Rana's replacement in India’s squads for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the 2026 Asian Games.The fast bowler has earned this opportunity after Rana was ruled out due to his latest injury. Yash Thakur will now be part of India's plans for both important tournaments."The Men’s Selection Committee has named Yash Thakur as a replacement for Harshit Rana in India’s squads for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the 2026 Asian Games," the BCCI said in a press release. Also Read: Harshit Rana, Shivam Dube Stripped Of Allrounders' Tag By India LegendThe ace pacer from Vidarbha recently made his India debut against Zimbabwe. In India's tour of Zimbabwe 2026, the 27-year-old bowler took four wickets in two innings at an economy rate of 9.38.BCCI Provides Harshit Rana's Injury DetailsIt is important to note that Harshit Rana was already dealing with injury concerns before the IPL 2026. He first suffered a knee injury during India’s warm-up game against South Africa ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.He later picked up a hamstring injury while playing against England in the third T20I at Trent Bridge earlier this year.Although Rana was recovering well at the BCCI's CoE, he has now suffered another setback on September 7. According to the BCCI, Harshit Rana sustained a rectus femoris strain while bowling during a match simulation. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah All Declared FitThe BCCI has also removed the asterisk marks from the names of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Jasprit Bumrah, indicating that all three players have been declared fit and will take part in the IND vs AFG T20Is.Earlier, when BCCI named the squad the all four players (Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana) were included, subject to clearance.The much-awaited three-match IND vs AFG T20I series will start on September 13. The second T20I match is scheduled for September 15, followed by the final match on September 17.India's updated squad for Afghanistan T20Is: Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson [WK], Ishan Kishan [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yash ThakurIndia squad for the 2026 Asian Games: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash ThakurAlso Read: Jasprit Bumrah Fit To Play India vs Afghanistan T20Is After Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar